Lightning Boy Foundation

The Lightning Boy Foundation is a 501(c)3 non profit organization that was established in honor of Valentino “Lightning Boy” Rivera (2008-2016) a boy from the Pueblo of Pojoaque who couldn't stop dancing. He participated in traditional buffalo dances and traveled across the globe sharing the traditional Native American hoop dance. Sadly, Valentino passed in 2016 after succumbing to injuries sustained in a car accident at the age of 8; but he wanted to be remembered as a dancer and thus the mission of the Foundation was established. Based out of Northern New Mexico, the Lightning Boy Foundation provides traditional hoop dance instruction and other dance programming to Native youth ages two and up. Our mission is dedicated to nurturing and building confidence and integrity through culture and artistic expression.